AECOM reports fourth-quarter, full fiscal year 2011 results

AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE: ACM), a leading provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2011.

AECOM reported net income attributable to AECOM of $87 million for the fourth quarter and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 75 cents for the fourth quarter. This represents an increase of 29% over net income of $68 million for the same period last year and an increase of 29% over diluted earnings per share of 58 cents for the same period last year. Operating income for the fourth quarter increased 35% year over year to $134 million.

Fourth-quarter revenue was $2.1 billion, a 16% increase from the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. AECOM's gross revenue includes a significant amount of pass-through costs and, therefore, the company believes that revenue, net of other direct costs, which is a non-GAAP measure, also provides a valuable perspective on its business results. Fourth-quarter revenue, net of other direct costs, was $1.4 billion, representing a 20% increase over the same period last year. Organic revenue, net of other direct costs, for the fourth quarter increased 7% year over year.

For the full fiscal year 2011, AECOM reported net income attributable to AECOM of $276 million and diluted EPS of $2.33. This represents an increase of 16% over net income of $237 million for the same period last year and an increase of 14% over diluted EPS of $2.05 for the same period last year. Operating income for the full year increased 24% year over year to $421 million. For fiscal year 2011, the company's revenue, net of other direct costs, increased 23% to $5.2 billion, while revenue for fiscal year 2011 was $8.0 billion -- 23% higher than fiscal year 2010.

"Overall, 2011 was a good year for AECOM," said John M. Dionisio, AECOM chairman and chief executive officer. "During the year, we integrated a number of acquisitions, which strengthened our capabilities in important end markets, including construction, power, energy, mining, and cyber security and intelligence. This enabled us to deliver record new wins of $9.3 billion, backlog of $15.6 billion and earnings growth of 14%."

"We are poised for continued growth in 2012 with strong positions in the world's most robust and well-funded infrastructure markets," Dionisio added. "Looking ahead, we will focus our global resources on our best and most profitable opportunities across our diversified end markets and geographies. Finally, we will continue to focus on increasing cash flow and improving working capital and margins as well as effective capital allocation."

Business Segments

In addition to providing consolidated financial results, AECOM reports separate financial information for its two segments: Professional Technical Services (PTS) and Management Support Services (MSS).

Professional Technical Services

The PTS segment delivers planning, consulting, architecture and engineering design, and program and construction management services to institutional, commercial and government clients worldwide.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, the PTS segment reported revenue of $1.9 billion and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $1.2 billion, compared to revenue of $1.5 billion and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $1.0 billion in the same period last year. This represents a 23% increase in revenue and an 18% increase in revenue, net of other direct costs. PTS segment operating income increased 22% from last year to $147 million.

For the full year, the PTS segment reported revenue of $6.9 billion and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $4.6 billion compared to revenue of $5.4 billion and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $3.8 billion last year. This represents an increase of 27% in revenue and a 20% increase in revenue, net of other direct costs, from last year. In addition, full year PTS segment operating income increased 11% from last year to $445 million.

Management Support Services

The MSS segment provides facilities management and maintenance, training, logistics, consulting, technical assistance and systems integration services, primarily for agencies of the U.S. government.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, the MSS segment reported revenue of $235 million and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $147 million, compared to revenue of $294 million, and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $105 million for the same period during fiscal year 2010. This represents a 20% decrease in revenue contrasted by a 40% increase in revenue, net of other direct costs, highlighting a change in the mix of the business. In addition, the MSS segment reported operating income of $18 million compared to $12 million for the same period during fiscal year 2010, which represents a 56% year-over-year increase.

For the full year, the MSS segment reported revenue of $1.16 billion and operating income of $78 million. This represents an increase of 1% over revenue of $1.15 billion for fiscal year 2010 and an increase of 51% over operating income of $52 million for fiscal year 2010. For the full fiscal year 2011, MSS revenue, net of other direct costs, increased 55% to $569 million.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Cash flow from operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 increased by 128% from the prior year to $262 million. As of Sept. 30, 2011, AECOM had $457 million of total cash and cash equivalents, $1.2 billion of debt and $1.05 billion in committed bank facilities with $917 million in unused capacity.

Backlog

AECOM announced total backlog of $15.6 billion at Sept. 30, 2011, a 6% increase year over year. Excluding backlog obtained through acquisitions, total backlog increased 3% year over year. Foreign exchange rates negatively impacted backlog by $150 million during the fourth quarter.

Outlook

"AECOM continues to expand its presence in high-growth emerging and natural-resource-rich markets that now constitute over 40% of our net service revenue," said Michael S. Burke, AECOM president. "Overall, 59% of our net service revenue is derived from non-U.S. markets, providing us with confidence in our long-term outlook."

Building upon the progress achieved in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, AECOM expects diluted earnings per share results for fiscal year 2012 to be in the range of $2.45 to $2.65. The initial 2012 earnings guidance range includes the following key assumptions: 2012 tax rate of 29% (inclusive of non-controlling interest deduction), interest expense of $43 million, amortization of intangibles expense of $24 million, depreciation expense of $75 million, and full-year share count of 116 million.

The company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, during which management will make a brief presentation focusing on the company's results, strategies and operating trends. Those wishing to dial in to the call via telephone can do so by dialing 1-866-543-6403 or 1-617-213-8896 and entering the passcode 70487053. Interested parties also can listen to the conference call and view accompanying slides via webcast at www.aecom.com. The webcast will be available for replay following the call.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural, and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in approximately 125 countries and had revenue of $8.0 billion during its fiscal year 2011.